This.
He's not building a contender, but at least he's drafting decently. There are worse GMs and barring the availability of a better GM out there, there's no reason to boot him without a good replacement plan.
That's just the sad reality. It's like, some players on our team are not good. But if they're better than all our other options then you just have to keep them.
There's plenty of guys working in NHL organizations that could hold down the GM role. Guys with tons of experience in management and who wouldn't be rooted so deeply with the ties of the franchise and the players they could make professional decisions.
Just as an example of why fresh blood may be good, off the top of my head...
the Nieuwendyk tenure in Dallas was considered underwhelming, until you consider many of the cornerstone pieces he put into place are why they are a top team right now, like Klingberg. He also drafted some first round duds. And he made some gutsy calls. When Modano was up for a new contract, he let him walk. A guy he played with, personal friends, won a Cup together, and was the most celebrated player in franchise history. One of the greatest Americans to ever touch the ice. Of course Modano ended up in Detroit in that year... but I digress. Can you imagine Holland making that kind of call with Zetterberg? He couldn't even do it to
Dan Cleary. GM Joe knew the franchise needed to move on from legacy if it was truly going to move forward. Nill obviously has helped polish out the rough edges down there, but the team Dallas is now is because somebody stepped up and said it's time to look to the future.
Fresh eyes aren't necessarily better, but they do come with advantages if you pick the right person. I think we're so accustomed to the idea of permanence and slow changes with the Wings we forget other teams change GMs more than the Wings change coaches. Some of those teams are worse. But some are better. Because they keep looking for that right guy and right fit to improve.
If a talented individual comes along or is making a case in the Wings organization, I think we're past the point of letting Dallas and Tampa leach all that talent. The Wings need that talent here.